CSFA CSFA Surgical Equipment and Technology 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a robotic-assisted procedure, the surgical first assistant at the bedside is responsible for which primary task?
- Operating the surgeon console
- Instrument exchanges, retraction, suctioning, and responding to immediate patient-side needs (Correct answer)
- Monitoring anesthesia parameters
- Programming robotic arm movements
Correct answer: Instrument exchanges, retraction, suctioning, and responding to immediate patient-side needs
The bedside assistant manages instrument changes, assists with suction, provides retraction, and serves as the surgeon's hands at the operative field during robotic cases.
Question 2: A cell saver (autotransfusion) device is CONTRAINDICATED in which surgical scenario?
- Cardiac bypass surgery
- Major orthopedic reconstruction
- Surgeries involving malignant tumors or bowel contamination (Correct answer)
- Liver transplantation
Correct answer: Surgeries involving malignant tumors or bowel contamination
Cell saver blood is contraindicated when the operative field contains tumor cells or fecal contamination due to the risk of reinfusing malignant or infected material.
Question 3: What is the function of the C-arm fluoroscope in the operating room?
- Provide real-time ultrasound imaging of vessels
- Allow real-time intraoperative X-ray imaging for hardware placement and fracture reduction (Correct answer)
- Monitor brain activity during neurosurgery
- Generate 3D reconstructions using MRI technology
Correct answer: Allow real-time intraoperative X-ray imaging for hardware placement and fracture reduction
The C-arm provides live fluoroscopic X-ray imaging that guides implant positioning, fracture alignment, and catheter placement intraoperatively.
Question 4: Which action correctly prevents a radiofrequency (RF) burn from a monopolar electrosurgical unit (ESU)?
- Placing the dispersive electrode (grounding pad) over a bony prominence for firm contact
- Placing the dispersive electrode over a large, well-vascularized muscle mass with full skin contact (Correct answer)
- Using the highest power setting to shorten activation time
- Keeping the active electrode holstered only when not in use is unnecessary
Correct answer: Placing the dispersive electrode over a large, well-vascularized muscle mass with full skin contact
The dispersive electrode must have maximum surface contact over well-perfused tissue to safely dissipate current density and prevent thermal injury.
Question 5: Which type of powered surgical instrument is used to ream the medullary canal of a long bone prior to intramedullary nail insertion?
- Oscillating saw
- Reciprocating saw
- Cannulated reamer (Correct answer)
- Dermatome
Correct answer: Cannulated reamer
A cannulated reamer is passed over a guide wire through the medullary canal to progressively enlarge it in preparation for intramedullary fixation devices.
Question 6: The surgical first assistant should ensure that a surgical laser is placed in 'standby' mode when:
- The surgeon requests a higher energy setting
- The laser is not actively being used, to prevent accidental activation (Correct answer)
- The patient's drapes are being positioned
- The endoscope lens needs cleaning
Correct answer: The laser is not actively being used, to prevent accidental activation
Placing the laser on standby between uses prevents accidental firing, which could cause tissue burns or retinal injury to OR personnel.
CSFA CSFA Surgical Equipment and Technology 2
During a robotic-assisted procedure, the surgical first assistant at the bedside is responsible for which primary task?